Pereira Golden Goal Gives Liberty Win Against Campbell

A golden goal determined the outcome for the Liberty's women's soccer team once again on Saturday. However, this time the Lady Flames were on the positive end.

After losing to High Point in overtime on Thursday, Liberty squared off with Campbell 48 hours later, defeating the host Fighting Camels in overtime, 2-1.

Forward Helena Pereira scored Liberty's golden goal, finding the net in the 93rd minute. The goal was reminiscent of one the sophomore posted in a 2-1 victory over High Point in the quarterfinals of the 2011 Big South Championship.

With the win, Liberty improves to 10-6-1 on the season and 4-3-1 in conference play. Campbell falls to 9-5-1 on the year and 4-4 in Big South action.

Liberty earns its 10th win in a single season for the first time since going 12-7-2 in 2005. The victory is also the team's first against the Fighting Camels since a 3-0 win on Oct. 9, 2000. The Lady Flames are now 2-5 all-time versus Campbell.

Liberty began the contest with five shots in the opening 11 minutes. In the third minute, freshman midfielder Brittany Aanderud blasted a shot at the Campbell goal, which was snagged by goalkeeper Alexis Connors. Less than 30 ticks later, junior Casey Norris banked a shot off the crossbar. Senior Heather Bentley followed up the attempt, but the shot sailed wide.

Campbell countered with two shots of its own, including an attempt by Michelle Procaccini, which was corralled by Karen Blocker. Liberty then responded with shots by Aanderud and freshman Crystal Elmers. Connors thwarted both opportunities, keeping the contest scoreless.

In the 18th minute, Ashley Clark fired an attempt at the Liberty goal, but Blocker was there to make the grab. Undeterred, Clark headed another shot 20 seconds later. Once again, Liberty's redshirt senior goalkeeper prevented the attempt from reaching the back of the net.

Rebekah Page and Aanderud each took shots on goal for Liberty in the 21st and 28th minutes. Connors made saves on both plays, ultimately leading to a scoreless tie at halftime.

In the second period, Liberty opened with two shots which sailed wide of the net. The Lady Flames got on the board first, thanks to Maddie Boone's goal in the 67th minute. The sophomore defender dribbled down the field into the box, placing a shot into the net from six yards out. Boone's second goal of the season gave Liberty a 1-0 advantage.

The Camels knotted the contest just over five minutes later. Procaccini sent a crossing pass to Kirsty Meyer, who buried a shot from six yards out to tie the game, 1-1.

Pereira took the final shot on goal for Liberty in regulation, which resulted in another Connors save. The Camels followed up with two attempts on the Lady Flames' net, but Blocker made both stops to send the contest to overtime.

Liberty began the extra period with a Rebecca Smith shot that sailed wide. Pereira then fired at the Campbell goal in the 93rd minute, but Connors stuffed the attempt. At 92:59, Pereira tried once more.

Dribbling to the top of box, the forward sent a blast into the upper left corner of the goal for the 2-1 victory.

Liberty outshot the Camels in the contest, 16-15. Corner kicks were even at 5-5. Connors played the entire contest in the net for the Fighting Camels, making seven saves. Blocker also played in between the pipes the full contest, finishing with six saves for the victors.

Campbell heads to Coastal Carolina on Thursday for a clash with the Chanticleers at 7 p.m. Liberty remains on the road, Thursday, taking on VMI in conference action. Game time is slated for 7 p.m.